Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
What I'm Loving This Summer: Skincare, Books & Easy Summer Recipes
Is it just me, or is everyone OOO right now? Honestly, rightfully so. It's still peak summer, and while I've got a little vacay envy of my own (hi, new baby + 100-degree heat + hormones), I wanted to share a few things that got me through the season. Maybe you'll indulge with me as summer winds down into its gentle, golden-hour close.
Moving: Weekly online yoga, plus 5 minutes of stretching before bed (my nervous system thanks me)
Eating: Fresh tomatoes, crusty bread, good cheese — basically anything that doesn't require turning on the stove in this heat
Wearing: These lip balms, this self-tanning face spray, and body oil on repeat. Also just... living in flowy linen sets (Old Navy never misses)
Watching: Just the right amount of scary for #summerween, one deliciously messy summer fling drama, and something a little unhinged
Reading: I finally rejoined Goodreads (it had been a solid decade — no judgment please ?), and I've been racking up audiobooks while feeding the baby. Loved these short, delightful novellas, surprisingly enjoyed this memoir, and added this, this, this, and this to the TBR pile.
Doing: Beginner cross-stitch kits (because they keep me off my phone)
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!
Ask Clara:
"How do I improve my relationships?"
The Newest Way To Be Single: Hobbyamory
The dating trend taking over group chats everywhere: hobbyamory. The New York Times just wrote about it and it's the singles life hack we didn't know we needed.
Here's the gist: instead of white-knuckling your way through another swipe-fueled coffee date with a stranger, hobbyamory is all about falling for your hobbies first and letting connection happen around them. Run clubs, pottery studios, climbing gyms, book clubs — these low-pressure, built-in-activity spaces are becoming the new meet-cutes, minus the awkward "so tell me about yourself" silence. You're not performing datability; you're just doing the thing you love, surrounded by other people who love it too. Romance becomes a bonus, not the whole point.
That's the magic of it. You get to build a full, joyful single life first. Even if you never lock eyes with a soulmate over a pottery wheel, you still leave with a new skill, a sense of community, and zero bad-date stories to recover from.
So, we say: lean in. Some fun hobby-date ideas to try solo or with a crew:
A sunrise hike with a local trail group
A beginner ceramics or paint-and-sip class
Trivia night at your neighborhood bar
A community garden workday
An amateur cooking class (bonus points if you get to eat your mistakes)
A bouldering gym intro session
Single doesn't mean sitting around waiting. It means showing up for your own life — hobbies included.
How Beauty Might Beat Pharma at Hair Care
For decades, if you wanted real results for hair loss or damage, you basically had two pharma options — minoxidil or finasteride — and not much else. But beauty is quietly staging a coup. Hair longevity innovation is picking up fast, with ingredients like peptides, polyphenols, botanical extracts, and microspicules getting buzz as promising new tools. And it's not just surface-level stuff. Experts are pointing out that real hair longevity means addressing both follicle health and hair structure, not just slapping on a hydrating serum and calling it a day.
Industry watchers expect 2026's "hair longevity" wave to look like exosome-based treatments and peptide serums, basically the clinical hair care of the future. But most brands are also pairing their serums with either supplements, shampoos, or even scalp red light therapy. Basically, beauty brands are borrowing biotech's playbook (cellular-level, preventative science) and packaging it way more accessibly than a prescription, although results may vary and you should always consult your healthcare provider about any new additions to your supplement stack.
Is it all hype? Not fully proven yet, tbh — but the trajectory is undeniable; beauty is finally getting some scientific formulas that are good enough to give pharma a run for its money.
Hair Longevity Products to Try:
Ask Clara:
"How do I take better care of my scalp?"
Why Nervous System Regulation Is Everywhere
Have you noticed "nervous system regulation" popping up literally everywhere lately? Your favorite wellness influencer, your therapist, your friend who won't stop talking about her vagus nerve — it's suddenly the topic. And according to a great Forbes piece, you're not imagining it. After years of chasing optimization and productivity, a lot of us are shifting toward recovery, balance, and just... feeling okay again. Honestly? Relatable.
The best part is that nervous system regulation doesn't require fancy gadgets or a subscription. It's rooted in genuinely simple stuff. Here are a few easy ways to bring your body back to baseline when life feels like too much:
Breathe on purpose. Try a slow exhale that's longer than your inhale (think 4 counts in, 6-8 counts out). It tells your body "hey, we're safe."
Get outside. Even 10 minutes of fresh air and natural light works wonders for calming an overstimulated system.
Move your body. A walk, a stretch, a little shake-it-out dance party in your kitchen — anything that discharges built-up tension.
Cold water on your face or wrists. A quick reset button for when you're spiraling.
Put your phone down for five minutes. Just five. Your nervous system will thank you.
None of this is about doing more. It's about permitting yourself to slow down. And honestly, that might be the whole point.
To Combat Loneliness, Doctors Are Prescribing Art
What if the best prescription for feeling less alone wasn't another medication—but a paintbrush, pottery class, or museum visit?
It may sound surprising, but a growing number of healthcare providers are embracing "arts prescribing," a wellness approach that connects people with creative activities to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. The idea is simple: making art—or even experiencing it alongside others—can create meaningful moments of connection that many of us are craving. Research suggests that creative expression helps lower stress, boost mood, and strengthen our sense of belonging, all of which can have a real impact on overall well-being.
Think about the last time you lost yourself in a watercolor class, sang along at a concert, wandered through an art museum, or laughed over a DIY craft night with friends. Those experiences don't just fill time; they help us feel seen, inspired, and connected.
As loneliness continues to be recognized as a serious public health issue, experts are encouraging us to think beyond traditional treatments. Creativity isn't just about making something beautiful; it's about building community and giving ourselves permission to express what words sometimes can't.
So this week, consider making a little room for art. Visit a local gallery, sign up for a ceramics class, color in an adult coloring book, or invite a friend over for a craft night. Get inspired and socialize!
Ask Clara:
"What are some good date ideas for friends?"
The Rising Cost of Dating: Why Money Is Becoming a Barrier to Finding Love
Can we all agree that dating has gotten...really expensive? Between cocktails, dinner reservations, rideshares, new outfits, and the pressure to plan an Instagram-worthy night out, it's easy to see why so many people are hitting pause on romance. According to a recent New York Times report, many Gen Z singles say the rising cost of dating has become a real obstacle to finding connection, with some choosing to date less—or not at all—because they simply can't justify the expense. It's part of a larger shift happening as young adults navigate higher living costs, student loans, and financial uncertainty. Recent surveys estimate that the average date now costs close to $190, and about half of Gen Z says dating expenses are getting in the way of their financial goals. Instead of grand gestures, many people are redefining what effort actually looks like, focusing more on intentionality than price tags.
Honestly? That might not be such a bad thing. Some of the best dates don't require reservations or a hefty bill—they just require showing up.
Need inspiration? Try one of these budget-friendly ideas:
Pack snacks and watch the sunset at a local park.
Visit a free museum day or neighborhood art walk.
Grab coffee and take a long walk instead of sitting in a crowded café.
Browse a bookstore together and pick out books for each other, and visit a library later.
Cook dinner at home and rate frozen pizzas or mocktail recipes like you're food critics.
Check out free concerts, outdoor movies, or community events in your city.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn't to impress someone with your spending. It's to find someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Ask Clara:
"How do I build better relationships?"
The Excitement of Exosomes in Skincare
If it feels like every skincare brand suddenly has an exosome serum, you're not imagining it. Exosomes are quickly becoming one of beauty's buzziest ingredients—and while they sound incredibly futuristic, the idea behind them is surprisingly simple. Think of exosomes as tiny messengers that help skin cells "talk" to one another. Researchers believe they may support your skin's natural repair process, encouraging collagen production, calming inflammation, and improving the look of fine lines, texture, and redness. It's no wonder they've become the latest obsession in regenerative skincare.
That said, the science is exciting, but it's still evolving. Much of the strongest research has focused on exosomes used by dermatologists after procedures like microneedling or laser treatments. While at-home serums are becoming more sophisticated, experts say we still need larger, long-term studies to understand exactly how effective topical exosome products are on their own. So think of them as a promising addition to your routine—not a miracle replacement for sunscreen, retinoids, or a healthy skin barrier.
Curious where to start? Some of the most talked-about options include The INKEY List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, Cosrx PDRN Exosome Glaze Face Mask, Naturium Multi-Active Exosome Serum, and Medicube One Day Exosome Shot 2000. Whether exosomes become the next retinol or simply another helpful tool in the skincare toolbox, one thing is clear: regenerative skincare is having a major moment.
Ask Clara:
"What are the benefits of SPF?"
Dancing Your Way to Better Health: Wellness Festivals Tap Into Rave Culture
Apparently the biggest wellness move for 2026 isn't a new supplement or a fancier tracker—it's the dancefloor. According to the Global Wellness Institute's 2026 Future of Wellness Trends report, the industry is officially embracing what they're calling the "festivalization of wellness."
We're all a little burnt out on optimizing everything. And a backlash against over-optimization—aka "optimization fatigue"— is on the rise to combat that high-stress cycle of perfecting your routine and tracking every single metric. Instead of chasing perfect health alone in our bedrooms, people are craving something way more fun: connection, IRL, with other humans.
Enter rave culture. The report borrows heavily from festival and dance culture, reframing health as something you feel in a crowd instead of something you track in solitude. Think breathwork next to a bass drop, sober raves, sound baths between sets—wellness that feels less like a chore and more like a party you actually want to be at.
Honestly? We're into it. There's something so refreshing about swapping the pressure of "doing wellness right" for just... showing up and moving your body with people who get it. No perfect streak required, no data to obsess over, just good energy and good company.
So if the rest of this year has you eyeing a wellness retreat that comes with a DJ instead of a juice cleanse schedule, you're not alone.
How to Hydrate Dry Skin Fast: The Ultimate Moisture-Boosting Guide
Have you been staring in the mirror, wondering why your face suddenly feels like the Sahara? The good news? Boosting your skin's moisture doesn't have to be complicated. It's really about layering the right ingredients so your skin can actually hold onto water instead of losing it the second you step outside.
Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser (hot water and harsh soap are not your friends here). Then bring in humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin — these guys pull moisture into your skin like little hydration magnets. Follow up with ceramides and ceramide-rich creams to patch up your skin barrier, and seal everything in with an occlusive like squalane or a nourishing facial oil. Think of it as building a tiny greenhouse for your face: hydrate, repair, seal.
Here's your hydration lineup to shop for:
A hyaluronic acid serum — for that plump, dewy bounce-back
A glycerin-based toner or essence — lightweight hydration, first step after cleansing
A ceramide moisturizer — repairs and strengthens your skin barrier
A squalane oil— locks in moisture without feeling greasy
An overnight hydrating mask — for when your skin needs an extra boost (hello, flight days and winter months)
Consistency is everything here, friend. Do this daily, and your skin will thank you with that soft, glowy, "did you get a facial?" look.
Have We Lost the Plot? What 'Well-Rested as the New Snatched' Really Means
In my pursuit of wellness, I stumbled upon an article stating that looking "well-rested" is the new "snatched," and more people are entering dermatologist offices looking to "fake it till you make it" with targeted fillers and treatments. It gave me pause, because even as a wellness editor always on the lookout for the next trend or what's happening in the sphere of taking care of ourselves, I had to gasp with a little exasperation, wondering if maybe we've lost the plot.
Well-rested comes from the roots of wellness — with a focus on sleep, a calm nervous system, a sturdy immune system, and a balance of light and dark, both real and metaphorical. The practical side of me says drink more water and get more sleep, but we've been at this a while now, and we know our attention is constantly wanted elsewhere: the devices, the family members, the never-ending career goals or childcare. Even when you have an hour to "yourself," you feel you must maximize it to get ahead.
Knowing full well that this, too, is an illusion. So as jarring as this article was to my own wellness brain, I felt it deep inside as well — a well-rested vibe is really just that: prioritizing the self-care and sleep that can transform and refresh almost every part of our bodies. Easier said than done, but something worth striving for.
Ask Clara:
"How do I get better sleep?"